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Author
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Topic: Rats !! Hi-Po Manifold Repairs ?
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Stinkynutz
Journeyman Posts: 97
From: Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, usa
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 01-08-2004 10:36 AM
   
Well, My Ebay purchased repro Hi-Po manifolds arrived yesterday and I'm bummed. The seller apparently painted them temporarily concealing a crack in the middle side of the left manifold. The seam at the bottom of the manifold is also cracked. Both cracks can be seen from inside the manifold. Assuming that the seller doesn't honor a refund, can anyone tell me what your experience is in repairing cast iron manifolds? I think judging by the crack locations, that these may be flaws (weakness)in the manufacturing process. That's a guess. I'm not building a show car, so I don't mind the look of a repair, but if these types of repairs don't hold up, I'd like to know. Any reputable repair outfits on the west coast? Any help would again be sincerely appreciated.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 43394
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 01-08-2004 10:41 AM
You need to find a good welder to preheat it and then weld it with a nickel rod.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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69 Sportsroof
Gearhead Posts: 1962
From: Valley, Alabama, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 01-08-2004 12:22 PM
If you paid with paypal you can get your money back. Can you list the auction number?
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Stinkynutz
Journeyman Posts: 97
From: Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, usa
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 01-08-2004 12:40 PM
Steve: thanks again for the excellent (as always) advice. I'll run them by the welding shop. 69 SR: The Ebay Item was 2447471016. The seller has indicated that he was unaware and that he will do anything to make things right. I believe the seller, he appears to be a very reputable individual. I have a good feeling after getting his response to my concern. I'm not going to pursue a refund unless I can't get a good repair done - all I really want is a functional set of manifolds - cosmetics aren't that important to me. As an aside, if anyone has an orphan left side hi-po manifold (uncracked) available, please advise.
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 839
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 01-08-2004 01:20 PM
I would look for a company specializing in cast iron repair. I have had good welders try to repair cast iron with poor results. Shops that specialize in cast repair do a superb job.John
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senzstang
Gearhead Posts: 267
From: perry, oh, usa
Registered: May 2002
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posted 01-08-2004 01:59 PM
Cast iron can be welded but it takes a lot of prep work and High nickle content filler 95% - 99% nickle. Most welders do not want to take the time to prep and pay the cost of the specialized nickle rod.If you are going to get it welded they should do the following: drill out either end of the crack to prevent further migration make a V groove along the path so the welding rod gets good penetration and doesn't just lay on top of your manifold. Probably the most important steps that are most neglected to preheat the metal before you weld and post heat after you weld. You can heat the cast to cherry red and lay down your weld. Take a hammer and tap along the weld to stress releive. Take a torch and keep the weld heated and cool down slowly. If you do all these steps, the weld should be just fine. If you try to cheat on pre/post heat and use a cheap welding rod the weld will crack right out. Even if you are not doing the weld yourself, you need to ask your welder the steps he will take. Thanks,
Phil
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bibbs68
Gearhead Posts: 1623
From: Jackson, TN
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 01-08-2004 02:08 PM
Great information Phil! Sounds like Stinkynutz needs to get you to weld them up. 
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senzstang
Gearhead Posts: 267
From: perry, oh, usa
Registered: May 2002
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posted 01-08-2004 02:23 PM
I worked in the compressed gas and welding industry for 10 years. I did a little welding on cast for customers basically because everyone is scared of it or doesn't want to do the work. If you take your time it isn't that bad. It will never appear stock though if that is a concern!
Phil
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Stinkynutz
Journeyman Posts: 97
From: Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, usa
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 01-08-2004 03:55 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. This is what I have learned: No local shops employ the use of an oven to properly heat and repair cast iron. I got a referral to a shop called Valley Head Service in California. I spoke with a guy there who really knows his stuff. They do head and manifold repairs using many processes. He quoted me a price of between $95 and $125 to have the manifold repaired with a nickle rod in a cold process. A repair using this process is iffy in his opinion, depending on the condition and carbon content of the manifold. A heated cast repair will run in the hundreds of dollars ($300-$400). Given that these manifolds run $225.00 a pair new, and that I paid $186.00, this all seems a little ridiculous. But it's probably good to note if you had some original t-bolt headers or something really valuable. So I'm still considering my options. I think I went down this dark trail years ago with my cracked ECZ-G heads on my '57 bird. You think I would have learned by now. Heading to fridge now for my 3rd corona, will post more later.
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 6734
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 01-08-2004 10:44 PM
A new repo pair is about 200. Have used a set for quite a while on 2 cars. Think I'd send them back.
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 2450
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-09-2004 08:38 AM
There's a place around here that welds cast iron all the time.A buddy of mine cut a ditch between the center cylinders of an alcohol burning 400 chevy when a head gasket blew. We took it there, he cleaned it up and hit it with a nickel rod. He got it machined... and it worked perfect. The shop had all sorts of cast iron stuff laying around that had been fixed. It all looked just fine. They were cheap too. I used to take the aluminum lawnmower deck there to be heliarc'd. The would lay down a weld around a foot long and charge me $12. The weld on the block wasn't that expensive, either. Give them a call and see what they have to say. Good Luck! Custom Welding
St. Albans, WV
304-768-0201 ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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bibbs68
Gearhead Posts: 1623
From: Jackson, TN
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 01-09-2004 09:23 AM
I would kindly send them back for a refund. It sounded like the seller was willling to fix the situation. And after you explain the cost to repair he/she will more than likely oblige.My $.02!
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